Abreu held out of lineup with back stiffness

CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura held Jose Abreu out of Tuesday's lineup due to back stiffness that he noticed while Abreu was playing on Monday against Kansas City.

"Last night, I was watching him run around. Going through the All-Star stuff and everything else not having a break, you just see little things, back stuff and him moving around," Ventura said. "I talked to him last night after the game and just being honest with him, and him being honest with me. So today was just a good day to do it."

Abreu has hit in 12 straight games and 30 of his last 31, while sitting on pace for 47 homers and 120 RBIs. The rookie first baseman missed 14 games earlier this year due to a left ankle issue, but he is expected back in the lineup for Wednesday afternoon's finale.

"His ankle has been fine. This is just more of you can see him stretching his back and doing some moves that you know it doesn't quite feel right," said Ventura, who mentioned Abreu was available to pinch-hit on Tuesday. "It's just more to give him a day.

"We talked about this a few days ago that every once in a while when things come up, just knowing that he's starting to get to the most games he's ever played in a year portion. When things like this happen, you just give him a day."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.